the K doesn’t mean “okay”

The economy isn't struggling the same way for everyone right now… and that gap is widening. Gas prices are spiking, economists are using words that make people nervous, and a lot of the systems people rely on (unemployment benefits, student loan relief) are shakier than they look on paper.

This week I want to break down what's actually going on, and more importantly, what you can do.

(Actual answer at the end of the newsletter 👇)

Gas prices are up 30% in a month, and that pain isn't hitting everyone the same way. Economists call it a "K-shaped economy". Picture the letter K: higher-income households are on the upward arm, keep climbing; lower- and middle-income households are on the downward arm, falling further behind. The Iran war accelerating oil prices is making that split worse.

Here's why fuel is at the center of it. It works like a regressive tax: the less you earn, the bigger the share of your paycheck that goes straight to the pump. When someone making $200K spends more on gas, it's an inconvenience. When someone making $50K does, it means something else doesn't get paid.

Here's what you can actually do about it right now:

1. Audit your variable spending. Gas isn't going anywhere soon, so something else needs to give temporarily. Find one or two categories to trim so the increase doesn't quietly blow your budget.

2. Do not fund gas on credit. If you're carrying a balance on a card charging 20%+, putting gas on it and not paying it off is quietly one of the most expensive things you can do right now.

3. Check your withholding. If your commute costs have gone up significantly, your monthly cash flow just changed. Make sure you know what's coming in and going out now, not at tax time.

Your situation is personal. Your financial plan should be too.

How much higher the average tax refund is this season compared to last year

The average refund is $3,623 as of March 13. It sounds like a win, and it is one, but keep it in perspective: the White House had projected $1,000+ more, and for most people the actual bump has been a few hundred dollars. Know what you're actually getting before you spend it. And with gas prices where they are, that refund might already have a job to do.

Student loan borrowers still waiting on income-driven repayment applications

It’s down from a peak of nearly 2 million, but there's a catch. The SAVE plan was permanently ended in March, meaning millions of borrowers now need to reapply to a different plan entirely. If you're on SAVE, this is time-sensitive: go to StudentAid.gov and apply for Income-Based Repayment. Don't select "lowest monthly payment" as it may not get processed.

The number being thrown around as the "ideal" retirement amount

Here's the thing: most people don't need it, and plenty of people who have it still don't feel secure. The actual number depends on where you live, when you retire, and how you spend. The more useful question isn't "do I have $10 million?" It's: do I actually know my number? Because $10 million is someone else's answer to someone else's question.

Need to talk numbers? We can help you sort out your money.

That's how long the average $1 bill stays in circulation before it's too worn out and gets taken out of use. It's actually not the shortest-lived. That title goes to the $10 bill at just 4.5 years. The $100 bill, on the other hand, lasts up to 15 years. The less you spend it, the longer it sticks around.